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  Last updated: September 16, 2011 12:47 PM

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DBQs

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DBQs can be easily conquered by remembering a few simple tips.

  1. Answer all questions about the documents
  2. Label the documents according to the task
  3. Organize your thoughts.
  4. Know how you are being graded.

Always feel free to ask your social studies teacher for help if you need it.

 
 
Tip #1

Answer the questions about each and every document.  Never leave one blank!

Sample Document

From the January 2008 Global Regents Exam:

Topic: Government Systems

Document 2

. . . Peter’s military reform would have remained an isolated incident in Russian military history had it not left a distinct and deep impression on the social and intellectual composition of all Russian society, and even influenced future political developments. The military reform itself made necessary other innovations, first to maintain the reorganised and expensive military forces, and then to ensure their permanency. The new recruiting methods, by spreading military obligations to classes hitherto [up to this time] exempt, and thus affecting all social classes, gave the new army a more varied composition, and completely altered existing social relationships.  From the time that noblemens’ serfs and servants joined the new army as ordinary recruits instead of only as menials or valets [servants], the position of the nobility, which had been preponderant [dominant] in the old army, was completely changed...
 

- Source: Vasili Klyuchevsky, translated by Liliana Archibald, Peter the Great, St. Martin’s Press

Questions based on the document:

2a.  According to Vasili Klyuchevsky, what was one way Peter the Great attempted to control the Russian
people? [1]
2b. According to Vasili Klyuchevsky, what was one effect Peter the Great’s reform had on the Russian
nobles? [1]
  • Take your time and be sure you are answering the question that is being asked.
  • Each document question is assigned a point value.  Your grade will improve with each correct document answer.

 

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Tip #2

Label the documents according to the task.

DBQ task from the January 2008 Regents:

Choose two governments mentioned in the historical context and for each

• Describe the efforts of the government to control the thoughts and/or actions of its people
• Discuss an impact of this government’s efforts on its society 

You are limited to the political systems listed in the historical context, which are Russia under the rule of Peter the Great, Germany under the rule of Adolf Hitler, and China under the rule of Mao Zedong

  • Label each document depending on the content of the doc.
  • This will help you choose which documents to use and be able to connect them to the task.
  • The label for the sample document about would be "Peter the Great".

 

 

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Tip #3

How you organize your information is almost as important as the information itself. Remember...the essay is about the TASK...it is NOT a summary of the documents in paragraph form.

The following is a suggestion on how to organize your essay.

I.  Introduction

A.     Lead sentence

B.     Definition of topic (if applicable)

C.     Main Points

D.     Thesis Statement

 II.  Main Point #1

    A. Topic Sentence

    B.     Document #

         1.       Explanation of document relevant to the main point

         2.       Outside information relevant to the main point & document

                  (the more of this you have the better)

    C.     Document # (if two documents are relevant to the same main point)

         1.       Explanation of document relevant to the main point

         2.       Outside information relevant to the main point & document

    D.     Concluding Sentence

 III.    Main Point #2

     A.     Topic Sentence

     B.     Document #

         1.  Explanation of document relevant to the main point

         2.  Outside information relevant to the main point & document

              (the more of this you have the better)

     C.     Document # (if two or more documents are relevant to the same main point)

         1.       Explanation of document relevant to the main point

         2.       Outside information relevant to the main point & document

      D.     Concluding Sentence

 IV.  Main Point #3

      A.     Topic Sentence

      B.     Document #

            1.  Explanation of document relevant to the main point

            2.  Outside information relevant to the main point & document

                 (the more of this you have the better)

       C.  Document # (if two or more documents are relevant to the same main point)

            1.  Explanation of document relevant to the main point

            2. Outside information relevant to the main point & document

       D.  Concluding Sentence

 V.   Conclusion

      A.  Restate thesis statement

      B. Summarize Main Points

     C.  Final Thought
  • There is no one correct way to organize your information, but it must be logical and clear.
  • You must make specific references to the docs within your body paragraphs...but remember that you are using that doc to support your main point, which addresses the task!
  • This is a great place to practice all those English techniques you have learned: sophisticated transitions, use of language, and complex sentence structure. It will only make your essay better.

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Tip #4

Know and understand how you will be graded.

  • You must use analysis and outside information, which is information relevant to the documents and the task but is not found within the documents.  Remember...it must be relevant and connected to the task!
  • Scores range from 0 - 5, with 5 being the highest.
  • A rule of thumb is to think of a Regents 5 as an A, Regents 4 as a B, Regents 3 as a C, Regents 2 as a D, and Regents 1 & 0 as an F.
  • The rubric for DBQ essays has been used since June 2004.

Document Based Question General Scoring Rubric

Revised 2004

Score of 5:

• Thoroughly develops all aspects of the task evenly and in depth

• Is more analytical than descriptive (analyzes and evaluates information)

• Incorporates relevant information from most of the documents

• Incorporates substantial relevant outside information

• Richly supports the theme with many relevant facts, examples, and details

• Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that are beyond a restatement of the theme

Score of 4:

• Develops all aspects of the task but may do so somewhat unevenly

• Is both descriptive and analytical (applies, analyzes and/or evaluates information)

• Incorporates relevant information from most of the documents

• Incorporates relevant outside information

• Supports the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details

• Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that are beyond a restatement of the theme

Score of 3:

• Develops all aspects of the task with little depth or develops most aspects of the task in some depth

• Is more descriptive than analytical (applies, may analyze, and/or evaluate information)

• Incorporates some relevant information from some of the documents

• Incorporates limited relevant outside information

• Includes some relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some minor inaccuracies

• Demonstrates a satisfactory plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that may be a restatement of the theme

Score of 2:

• Minimally develops all aspects of the task or develops some aspects of the task in some depth

• Is primarily descriptive; may include faulty, weak, or isolated application or analysis

• Incorporates limited relevant information from the documents or consists primarily of relevant information copied from the documents

• Presents little or no relevant outside information

• Includes few relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some inaccuracies

• Demonstrates a general plan of organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions; may not clearly identify which aspect of the task is being addressed; may lack an introduction and/or a conclusion

Score of 1:

• Minimally develops some aspects of the task

• Is descriptive; may lack understanding, application, or analysis

• Makes vague, unclear references to the documents or consists primarily of relevant and irrelevant information copied from the documents

• Presents no relevant outside information

• Includes few relevant facts, examples, or details; may include inaccuracies

• May demonstrate a weakness in organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions; may not clearly identify which aspect of the task is being addressed; may lack an introduction and/or a conclusion

Score of 0:

Fails to develop the task or may only refer to the theme in a general way; OR includes no relevant facts, examples, or details; OR

includes only the historical context and/or task as copied from the test booklet; OR includes only entire documents copied from the test booklet; OR is illegible; OR is a blank paper
  • Please note that in order to earn a score of a Regents 4 or 5 you must use analysis, meaning you must state the why and how of your details and examples.
  • Always be specific...the more specific outside information you have, the better!

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